A randomized trial in Spain found an everolimus-eluting stent (EES) was more effective than a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) in treating patients with drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis. One year after the procedures, the primary endpoint of cardiac death, MI and target vessel revascularization occurred in 10 percent of the EES group and 18 percent of the DEB group. The difference was statistically significant.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA) added the use of stent retrieval devices for treating some patients with acute ischemic stroke in updated guidelines published online June 29. The gold standard remains intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for breaking up clots.

An intraprocedural thrombotic event in a patient with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) adds approximately $3,600 to hospital costs, according to an economic analysis of the ACUITY trial that was published in the July issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) closed its investigation into Abiomed’s marketing of the Impella 2.5 device without taking any action against the company, according to an Abiomed news release on June 29.

We expect the Supreme Court to act, at least once it commits to a case. The FDA, that’s another thing. But the FDA has been on a relative tear this month with nearly back-to-back approvals of two different transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) systems.

A retrospective analysis found 7 percent of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) had a malfunction attributed to radiotherapy. All of the cases occurred during neuron-producing radiotherapy, prompting lead researcher Jonathan D. Grant, MD, to recommend the use of non-neutron-producing radiotherapy when clinically feasible.

Treating patients with peripheral artery disease using drug-coated balloons proved superior to standard balloons for efficacy, at least one year out, in the LEVANT 2 randomized trial. Both approaches provided similar safety profiles.

During the past decade, primary stroke centers have been established in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with the goal of improving the care of acute stroke. As of the end of 2013, 32 percent of the short-term adult general hospitals with emergency departments were designated as certified primary stroke centers.